by Graham Fach, UU Sports Information Assistant

The tournament was a grueling 64-game format over two days of competition. On the singles side, the top six individual bowlers at the end of play advance to the USBC Intercollegiate Team and Singles Championships. Senior James Tucker III (pictured left), who also serves as the Student Body President at UU, was the only Blue Knight to qualify individually. Tucker III finished 6th in the field of 172 bowlers.

In the team competition, 20 different squads competed in the sectional qualifier. The top four men’s and women’s programs earned the right to advance to the National Championships. After 2 hard-fought days on the lanes, the UU women’s team finished in 9th place, 613 pins outside of an advancing position. The Blue Knight men, however, made program history by finishing in third place and earning a spot in the National Team Championships. It marks the first time in school history that a bowling team will represent Urbana University at the National Championships. Members of the men’s team include Tucker III, Graham Fach, Brock Finch, Andrew Allen, Kyle Mayberry, Dustin Johnson, Kyle Cook and Chase Carter.

The USBC Intercollegiate Team and Singles Championships take place in Reno, Nevada from April 15-19. The other three qualifying teams from Urbana’s sectional include Lindenwood University, San Jose State University, and Morehead State University. Before competing in Reno, the Blue Knights will be back in action at the Boom Apparel National Championships, which take place on April 5-6 in Indianapolis.